4-H Junior FT attempt a flop

[SqrlHntr]

Reached out to the state level 4-H club to invite them to a FT match and explore FT as an activity. I found out that reactive targets, including knockdown are not allowed in 4-H, thus my hope of 4-H junior FT is a no-go. Super bummed out, was hoping we could incorporate FT somehow with the local 4-H shooting sports and get a youth division going. My son wants to shoot FT and would be fun for him to compete against other kids eventually. I remember shooting bb guns and springers as a kid in 4-H so it was fairly logical thinking. The 4-H director was super nice about it and would have considered FT if not for the rule, so can’t blame him. I guess there must have been something that happened to instigate the rule, just hope no-one was hurt.

So….Any clubs out there with a youth program or junior division? If so, any suggestions for starting one? Probably a pipe dream having a junior division, but its for my kid so its worth the effort, even if it doesnt fly.

 

[MartyMcFly]

I don’t know what 4-H is, but have you considered working with local Boy Scouts?

-Marty

 

[Ghostranger169]

SqrlHntr,
Good of you to try and help out the kids. Sorry it didn't work out.
Around here, 4-H has trap and skeet(using a shotgun to break flying clay targets) programs. I would think that would be a "reactive target", but maybe not. Perhaps they don't like FT targets that depict animals, idk. It's a strange world we live in.

Home Page

4-H provides kids with community, mentors, and learning opportunities to develop the skills they need to create positive change in their lives and communities.

4-h.org

 

[SqrlHntr]

SqrlHntr,
Good of you to try and help out the kids. Sorry it didn't work out.
Around here, 4-H has trap and skeet(using a shotgun to break flying clay targets) programs. I would think that would be a "

Thats exactly what figured too since the 4H where I grew up had trap and skeet as well and theres even hunting classes here in TX.
Makes zero sense. Heres the documents, they shoot airguns, just at paper.

Rifle Specific Rules.pdf

drive.google.com

There must have been a reason for the rule, maybe a close call was all it took. Guess I should count blessings, he gets to grow up with access to a great FT club and some great shooters and sportsman to learn from.

 

[blackholegun]

Thats exactly what figured too since the 4H where I grew up had trap and skeet as well and theres even hunting classes here in TX.
Makes zero sense. Heres the documents, they shoot airguns, just at paper.

Rifle Specific Rules.pdf

drive.google.com

There must have been a reason for the rule, maybe a close call was all it took. Guess I should count blessings, he gets to grow up with access to a great FT club and some great shooters and sportsman to learn from.

They shoot 1/10 scale NRA silhouette targets to. My kid just shot a couple of weeks ago at a 4-H match. Not trying to resurect a zombie thread. Just searching for 4h info and saw this. BUt they do have wierdly specific rules on what guns can be used for what type matches. I think they are trying to limit high end guns in certain classes to "make it affordable". I'm not sure if that actually works or not. I'll let you know in a year or so.

 

[cavedweller]

Reached out to the state level 4-H club to invite them to a FT match and explore FT as an activity. I found out that reactive targets, including knockdown are not allowed in 4-H, thus my hope of 4-H junior FT is a no-go. Super bummed out, was hoping we could incorporate FT somehow with the local 4-H shooting sports and get a youth division going. My son wants to shoot FT and would be fun for him to compete against other kids eventually. I remember shooting bb guns and springers as a kid in 4-H so it was fairly logical thinking. The 4-H director was super nice about it and would have considered FT if not for the rule, so can’t blame him. I guess there must have been something that happened to instigate the rule, just hope no-one was hurt.

So….Any clubs out there with a youth program or junior division? If so, any suggestions for starting one? Probably a pipe dream having a junior division, but its for my kid so its worth the effort, even if it doesnt fly.

Did you ask why?
as in I’m wondering why?
or are airguns a issue?
it is possible to create a field target course that is not reactive That uses a bench rest type paper target
check for a CMP program near you

 

[AirNGasman]

I remember shooting bb guns and springers as a kid in 4-H so it was fairly logical thinking.

The "logical thinking" part is the problem; that's almost extinct in 2025. And FWIW, a true story that might relate to current young people 'thinking', even though it happened a decade ago.

Three field target shooters decided to attempt recruiting young people into field target by manning a table outside the registration exit at a huge Dallas paintball wars venue, 'thinking' "well, these kids like shooting airguns". In a couple hours the FT ambassadors had many dozens of 'prospects' pass within feet of them with nary a single young person even acknowledging their existence, much less expressing any iota of interest. And why would they?

Suffice to say young people raised on video-game shoot-outs, war massacre and mass-murder, and also playing outdoor war games where they actually shoot as many real humans (of sorts) as possible with air guns apparently can't get excited about shooting reactive metal targets; even if/when some of those targets are (now) of military tanks, terrorists or SCHOOL BUSES! My point?

Although I've considered myself an FT ambassador for the whole quarter-century of my FT experience, I'm again reminded of the adage "choose your battles wisely". If you confine your recruiting to like-MINDED prospects you might actually achieve spectacular results; like maybe even as high a one-half of one percent!

.

 

[BrazosbyNemo]

Sounds like a rule written that doesn’t really apply to FT targets (as the rule committee doesn’t even know FT targets or the sport even exists) and FT targets gets lumped into steel speed shooting targets. I get it that 4H May be leary of little kids running and gunning with hi-cap 9mm pistols shooting steel targets. FT is not that. FT would actually be a perfect fit for 4H. I haven’t read the rule so just speculating.